Archive for December, 2010

The shelter dog had clearly been neglected in his past. His coat was dull, and his eyes stared blankly into space as he barked continuously. The staff asked me to please try to help calm him, since he had been hysterically barking since he had arrived. I sat quietly outside his kennel, put in my earplugs and took a deep breath. I imagined the energy of the earth flowing up through my body, grounding and centering me, and mentally offered the dog some healing energy, if he chose to connect with me. I closed my eyes and inside my mind imagined myself in a quiet, beautiful place.

I learned that courage was not the absence of fear, but the triumph over it. The brave man is not he who does not feel afraid, but he who conquers that fear. –Nelson Mandela

Addressing fear issues in our beloved canine can be quite a challenge. In addition to getting help from your trusted veterinarian and trainer, learning to work with the holistic healing system of Reiki can be a wonderful support to your dog’s healing process. Reiki is a Japanese energy healing system that utilizes a series of meditation and focus techniques to support an energetic rebalancing and re-harmonizing of the body, mind and spirit.

“In the beginner’s mind there are many possibilities, but in the expert’s mind there are few.”

This quote by Shunryu Suzuki illustrates what I believe is an important fact that all Reiki practitioners and teachers should remember. To me, one of the most of the most important qualities we can nurture within ourselves is that of receptivity-the quality of a beginner’s mind. When we are receptive, we are open, and when we are open, the flow of the universe is easy to access and clear in its message to the heart.

Bringing Reiki to your local shelter, rescue or sanctuary is not always easy. Sometimes staff may not understand what Reiki is and because of this may be a bit circumspect about allowing it to be used with their animals. And on the other hand, what if Reiki is easily welcomed at your facility? How can Reiki volunteers succeed in building a solid program that will stand the test of time? In reality all animal Reiki practitioners working in shelters are educators simply by the nature of the work they do. People want to know what Reiki is and why it might be helpful to use with the animals. And so a dialogue must begin. Following are some ideas for how Reiki Practitioners (and Teachers too) can create a solid Reiki program at the animal facility where they volunteer.

With the holiday season upon us, and all its busy demands on your time and attention, now is the perfect time to find ways to remember your emotional center and build your inner sense of peace. Focusing on the positive can be crucial to maintaining calm in the midst of what is, for many, a season of stress. Our animals, because of their connection to us-they love us, live with us and spend so much time with us-are aware of and deeply affected by the stress we endure. In short, when we are stressed, our animals are stressed.

About Our Blog

It’s a Heartful Life aims to be an antidote to the message, “It’s a hard knock life.” We want to inspire readers with positivity and feature individuals, organizations and businesses in the areas of food, style, design, animals and travel who are doing great and positive things in this world.

IAHL is a lifestyle blog (with a special interest in animal Reiki) that's dedicated to healthy, heartful living–something that’s even more important to Kathleen now since becoming a two-time cancer survivor. When we remember to live life from the heart, we bring happiness, goodness and healing to our world. Thanks for stopping by!

It’s a Heartful Life is curated and managed by sisters Kathleen Prasad and Charlotte Jensen.

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